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(33 posts)

Moving to W.Seattle; Pre-School Referrals anyone?

Started 3 years ago by bicycle_gardener
Latest reply from SpeakLoud

bicycle_gardener
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Hello there,

My family is re-locating to Seattle and I am in the US Coast Guard. West Seattle has been reccomended and it looks like we will be up that way in May. I am looking to put my 3 year old daughter (Will be 4yrs in July)into an actual pre school rather than in-home daycare. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips? I saw the great links in the School section, however, I feel that personal reccomendations would be very helpful as well. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Sincerely,

Coree

Posted 3 years ago #
Oliver
Member Profile

Hi Coree,
There are a lot of good options in West Seattle for Preschool. My 3 (almost 4 year old) is at the preschol at Providence Mt. St. Vincent. It's a daycare and preschool within a nursing home. It's a wonderful community and learning environment. They have a long waitlist, but it is sometimes shorter for older kids than it it for toddlers.
I also seriously considered the preschool program at Westside School. There is a preschool program at Gatewood Elementary School provided by the Cottage School. Two Catholic schools (Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Rosary) and one Luterhan School (Hope Lutheran) also have preschool programs that are well regarded. There are also the montessori programs that are west seattle blog sponsors and the Community School of West Seattle. You should be able to find the websites for these schools through google.
Additionally, South Seattle Community College has a co-op network of preschools that a lot of people in West Seattle have been happy with.
Finally, childcare resources has a website with lots of information about early learning opportunities city-wide: http://www.childcare.org/families/early-learning.asp
Good luck!

Posted 3 years ago #
flowerpetal
Member Profile

Welcome in advance Coree! There is a full day preschool at Highland Park Elementary on 9th SW and SW Trenton St. The program is in dedicated space for preschool and it is a beauttiful classroom. It is not operated by the school district but by Community Day School Association (CDSA). I think that you will be impressed with the teaching staff and the curriculum. This is a great learning environment for children preparing for kindergarten. The direct line to the center is 767-4906. You would be smart to act soon for enrollment for next year.

Posted 3 years ago #
flowerpetal
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Good advise Oliver. I had forgotten about the preschool at Mt St Vincent; and couldn't think of the name of the Community School of West Seattle.

Posted 3 years ago #
barbkorducki
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Mt. St. Vincent is excellent as is West Seattle Montesorri. I have heard good things about the Community School. Lifechurch Minitry, the old Gatewood Baptist has a good program and the Fauntleroy Children's Center. Mt. St, Vincent has intergenerational programs for the kids too.

How old is your child?

How many days do you need it? If you go to my website http://www.barbkorducki.com and click on community there are some links to area schools

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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We also have a fairly comprehensive schools list on the SCHOOLS tab below the header. I am sure we are missing a few preschools - it's a growth business - but we've made a few additions lately. There are even a couple with language-immersion or bilingual programs, like EuropaKids and Cometa Playschool.

Posted 3 years ago #
kh
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I highly recommend West Seattle Christian Preschool!!!! Structured, FUN, academically challenging, age-appropriate schedule
And the Preschool Co-op is really great (especially for under 3 years old).

Posted 3 years ago #
bicycle_gardener
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These are all great referrals! I looked at the School tab a few days ago and found many of these. St. Vincent sounds really unique. This one really caught my eye. Oliver, since your child is at St. Vincent, how would you say the shchooling portion is?

Thank you everyone for responding! It's appreciated greatly! I am looking forward to being a part of the West Seattle Community! Next task.. finding a rent house =)

-Coree

Posted 3 years ago #
Oliver
Member Profile

Hi Coree,
The educational part is wonderful. I believe all of the preschool teachers have degrees in early childhood education and they really spend a lot of individual time and small group time with the kids. My son is currently learning and has many of the kindergarten-readiness skills at almost 4 y.o. He will definitely hit the ground running when kindergarten starts. In fact, I'm a little concerned that he may be too far ahead. Most imprtantly, preschool is largely about learning a school routine and proper social behavior. At he Mount they learn alot about appropriate behavior and respecting your fellow community members. They encourage the children to use problem solving approaches to resolving conflicts. They also visit the residents of the nursing home daily for arts, music and other fun activities. I think this helps kids appreciate and be comfortable around people with disabilities and advanced ages. The curriculum is inegrated, theme based and well planned, it changes each week. For example, this winter they have done modules on polar bears and penguins and now my son adamantly explains to anyone that they don't live together. He was also quite proud to show me where Africa is on the map after they did a week program on Africa. The recently did one on outerspace and he was proud to explain to me that we live on earth and travel around the sun. It's really a great program and we are happy to be a part of the Mount St. Vincent Community.

Posted 3 years ago #
mrhineh
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I will second Oliver, we have two children at The Mount and it is terrific. But be advised, the wait may be a long list (although some schools have seen a dropoff due to the economy). Also consider the YMCA. Between the Mount and the Y, we are always bumping into the same families ;)

Posted 3 years ago #
bicycle_gardener
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Thank you both for your reply, I am going to call Mt. St. Vincent today. My daughter will be 4 in July and her education as well as community and diversity exposure is very important to me. It sounds like I can rely on this school to meet all of our needs. I am very excited! Thank you again and I am sure we'll run into eachother if I can get her in.

Sincerely,
Coree

Posted 3 years ago #
carrieann
Member Profile

Sounds like you may have already found somewhere that fits your needs, which is great! But I thought I'd still put out my recommendation for Cometa for those who are also searching for something. Cometa is a bilingual home-based pre-school/playschool located in the Admiral distric. My daughter was actually supposed to attend West Seattle Montessori, but then they moved and it became less convenient and appealing, so we were quite fortunate to find Cometa when we did. We took a tour, spoke with the teacher(s), learned more about what their curriculum and beliefs are, and enrolled our daughter (she'll be 5 in May). I'd be happy to answer more specific questions if anyone would like to know more (just send me a PM), or you can visit the official site here: http://www.cometaseattle.com/

Posted 3 years ago #
kimissimo
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I have a 4.5 year old son and have been on the waitlist for Mt St. Vincent's program for over 3 years. I check in a couple of times a year to check our status and we are still way way behind others on the waitlist.

Posted 3 years ago #
flowerpetal
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I wouldn't give up hope Kimissimo. With climbing unemployment many parents are finding themselves at home and unable to afford the childcare costs. There has been an increased turn-over rate in child care. Sad to think that others misfortune might benefit your situation, but there we are.

Posted 3 years ago #
noname
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Please check out W.S. Montessori. I believe they are the best. 206-935-0427

Posted 3 years ago #
MousePotato
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Remember, W.S. Montessori will really be White Center Montessori starting next year after they move this summer. They are retaining the West Seattle name but they will be deep in White Center so if you are concerned about this location (as we were) you should keep that in mind....

Posted 3 years ago #
kimissimo
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Thank you flowerpetal, also thank you for the info about the Community Day School at Highland Park I did not know about that one and contacted them today.

Posted 3 years ago #
wb
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Life Learning Center & Preschool has a Before and after care program for K-5, it has tutoring, music lessons, art projects,cooking, holiday care for all those days the seattle schools are out, early dismissal days, and transportation is provided to and from school. part time and full time available. 7:00 - 9:15 - 1:00 -6:00 Breakfast and/or pm snack served. its on 35th and Cloverdale St. (206) 932-9200 or email lifelearningctr@gmail.com

Posted 1 year ago #
wb
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Life Learning Center & Life Preschool has a few openings for children ages 12 months (if walking) to 5 1/2 years of age. We are a learning Center not a day care. We are open from 6:30am to 6:00pm, we serve breakfast, am snack, lunch and pm snack. For more information come see us or call or email Life Learning Center & Life Preschool is located at 3420 SW Cloverdale St. seattle, WA 98126 phone number is (206) 932-9200 or email lifelearningctr@gmail.com

Posted 1 year ago #
Aiko
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I just opened up a Waldorf-inspired home preschool (Bluebell Playgarden)in the Admiral District by PCC. It's play-based, and children will learn through creative play, movement, seasonal songs and verses, crafts, and stories. I take 4-6 children ages 3-5. This year we meet Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 - 12:00. The next year, the days and hours will expand a little more. You can e-mail me at aiko@aikoshimada.com for more info.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mitzy
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My nearly 4yr old son recently enrolled at Bluebell Playgarden. I have been impressed with the warm, nurturing and fun environment that Aiko creates. My husband & I have a high regard for the Waldorf style of learning, but we do not parent by a strict definition of Waldorf at home. Bluebell is a great place for our son because Aiko is a great teacher and the school is very small. This school is a gem in West Seattle. I recommend that families jump at the chance to take the few remaining openings!

Posted 1 year ago #
wimsikl
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We have two kids at West Seattle Montessori and are very happy. Yes the location is no fun, but once you get there, there are fabulous classrooms, lots of room, an awesome private playground, great teachers and families. At first I could not understand why they moved to White Center, but after visiting it and actually being part of the school, I understand why they made the trade-off.

Posted 1 year ago #
Foiblies11
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The demographics of West Seattle shows a dramatic increase in young families. There are numerous choices for Preschool (from in-home daycare-to a more structured school setting). You need to look at the long range plan for your child. For a long term solution Westside School now goes all the way through eighth grade. Westside's program is very creative and engaging. The Community School of West Seattle is also excellent but has limited space. There is also a new Bright Horizons opening up this spring. Lots of choices....think ahead to Kindergarten, First Grade, and beyond...it goes by quickly.

Posted 1 year ago #
Curtissimo
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Nobody mentions price... how much do these place cost on average?

Posted 1 year ago #
redblack
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just for your info: montessori of west seattle is now an apartment building - but it's the building that now houses bright horizons.

Posted 1 year ago #
JanS
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pssst...redblack..WS Montessori didn't close,they just moved to another location - farther away. here's the website:

http://www.westseattlemontessori.com/

Posted 1 year ago #
ghar72
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Curtissimo, Community School of WS has their prices on their website. http://www.communityschoolwestseattle.org/tuition.htm
Preschool for 2010 was $275/month, $3300 for the year. That's for 6 hours a week (two days, three hours each). More expensive than a community center preschool, but cheaper than some others (at least that's what I've been told). Hope that helps.

Posted 1 year ago #
Foiblies11
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West Seattle is a wonderful family community filled with a lot of preschool options. Providence and Bright Horizons have good reputations. I would seriously consider Westside School. They are building a brand new early childhood education center and their school now goes all the way through middle school. Our grandson has really enjoyed his time there for the past 3 years. The kids have art, music, gym, Spanish and go on cool field trips.

Posted 1 year ago #
SpeakLoud
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I havn't heard that Westside is building a new facility-unless what you mean is they are moving the portables in and the preschool will be out in them.....

Posted 1 year ago #
redblack
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jan: sorry. having failed to procreate, i'm not hip to all of the best schools. however, i did notice that montessori on 38th was demolished in favor of urban density.

my bad. good to see they found new digs. and sorry if i misled any n00bies.

:)

Posted 1 year ago #
Curtissimo
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thanks Ghar. Preschool is really expensive.. I wonder how important it really is?

Posted 1 year ago #
I Wonder
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Prices: based on age. Baby rooms are more expensive. Preschool - $10-12 is about the rate for all day, some places include meals which is nice. Also, figure in the number of hours open, the Mount for example is early dropoff (7am?) until 6pm, which lowers your hourly/rt.

Westide: are you referring to the fact they moved their whole school to an old elem on 34th? Lotso room.

Is preschool necessary? I think its up to the family. Daycare is expensive, but if you have to work... If you value the early days with your children, then stay at home and watch them grow. But early socialization and learning at these day care centers are extemely valuable and helpful to little ones when they enter k-school.

Posted 1 year ago #
SpeakLoud
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Curtissimo-it's not important if your hild is getting love, safety, good food, addiquate health care, stories read to them and ample enriching expereinces and materials at home-plus having the opportunity to play with peers on a fairly regular basis. Many families can provide this for their children and be happy doing so on a day in and day out basis-I honestly beluieve that this is superior to preschool HOWEVER many children do not get this opportunity and it is important that they do IMHO. And for many stay at home parenting can be lonely and isolating so having a couple of days their child is in preschool can provide a much needed adult time as well as kid time.
I would argue that childcare and preschool are different ONLY in that they offer different scheduling. Childcare is for working parents and SOME offer fantastic programs that are as good as any preschool. Preschool is part time and does not accomodate a full time working parent therfore children are not in care as long each day-it is a different vibe but it depends on what YOU NEED.
As for cost consider that most childcare staff are paid $8 to $12 an hour and have no benefits. Some preschools are not much better...but some, usually the higer priced ones are able to offer decent wages, decent benefits and good working conditions which usually equal longer employment and happy staff-very important things to consider in the quality of your childs experience.

And several schools offer a sliding fee and scholarships as well as take DSHS for payment if you qualify-check each one even if they don't advertise it. And for affordability the Community College co-op programs can not be beat!

Posted 1 year ago #